There are a few things in home design that just totally rock my world, and this is one of them. Reclaimed or salvaged wood is one of those rare items that can achieve perfection on multiple fronts at the same time.

• First and foremost, it’s flat out beautiful
• Second, it’s about as green as you can get. 100% making use of something otherwise to be wasted.
• Third, it’s wood – which means you can do just about anything imaginable with it!

I’ve scoured the web for some images, links, and ideas related to reclaimed wood and I’ve got them here for you to enjoy.

Reclaimed Wood Beams

Salvaged wood can make for some really incredible open beam ceilings. The room above, which is featured at the website of a company that sells reclaimed wood, is undeniably beautiful.

A close look reveals original notches done by barn builders long ago along with years of impossible to fake wear and tear. Question: Is it too much?

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This kitchen, from countryliving.com, shows the opposite extreme. In this case they’ve either only used one beam, or spaced them widely.

I totally love the way the same barnwood beams are used in both the structure and in the cabinets. This is great design, planning, and attention to detail. Check out how carefully the original mortises (those square holes you see) are positioned to be visible in the island legs. The old wood with a granite counter just looks so cool! (gotta love those stools too!)

Without getting too far off track, let me point out something that might help anyone doing a room addition for the kitchen. Take a close look at this picture. As you can see, this is a real kitchen. It’s not an outdoor kitchen or a porch kitchen, it’s the main kitchen.

Now look at the wall where the door to the next room is. That wall is complete with windows, an exterior door, a porch light, the whole bit. This is either a really well executed “faux outside wall” or this is a kitchen addition designed to leave original exterior wall components in-place. I think it looks cool!

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Which do you think is better? Really rustic, like in the picture below:

or

Smooth and finished, like this…

or

A cross between the two, like this…

Personally, I love the last one!

I’m starting to realize this post could go on forever! Reclaimed wood is used beautifully in doors, siding, furniture, and more!

To see some awesome etsy finds in reclaimed wood, check out Decorating with Reclaimed Wood on EverythingEtsy.com